State House works on underage drinking bill

Cheyenne, WY – The Wyoming House of Representatives is working on a bill that would alter the state's underage drinking law. Jackson Representative Keith Gingery says the existing law creates some interesting problems. He says if an officer lawfully observes a house party at a private residence someone underage and holding a beer can get a citation. "The kid on the other side of the room that is not touching alcohol, he has no beer in his hand, but is fall down drunk and maybe passed out. That young man cannot be cited in the state of Wyoming because consumption is only illegal in a public place." Gingery wants the law to be more consistent. Cheyenne Republican Dan Zwonitzer says he opposes the bill saying that it is only intended to make it easier to arrest those who drink under the age of 21 something he is against. The House will debate the bill two more times.